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| EWTG Community Service |
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Leaving an Impact! The EWTG Community Service Committee has been busy planning projects which will impact our community. The Women of EWTG participated in the following community activity this year and more projects are being planned. Click on each year below to reveal the Community Service Projects. November/December 2022 Letter Writing Campaign for Girls Empowerment Network The EWTG Community Service Committee is excited to announce our final 2022 project. We will be supporting the Girls Empowerment Network, an Austin nonprofit dedicated to helping girls discover they are powerful & increasing their belief they can succeed through a self-efficacy curriculum. Our volunteer project will be to create Relatable Role Model Letters. These page-long letters aim to inspire, encourage, uplift, and celebrate girls throughout our community. This provides the girls a unique way of communicating and connecting with members of the community. The letters should be handwritten, creative (think colorful, stickers, stamps!), and be targeted to girls in grades 3-8 (about 8-13 years old) and grades 6-12 (about 11-18 years old). This project will be open for participation through December 2, 2022. To participate, please contact Christy Rinaldi for more instructions, sample letters, and the registration link. Email: christina.rinaldi@gartner.com July 2022
Back to School Backpack Drive Big thank you to Chan McDermott, Yvonne Campos, and Tamala Fletcher for helping collect donated backpacks from our members and transport them to Any Baby Can for the event, and to Coleen McCarthy for handling all the logistics for the in-person service event! Another big thank you to our in-person volunteers Regina Durden, Coleen McCarthy, Kimberly Donnelly, Tamala Fletcher, and Yvonne Campos who helped with the back-to-school event.
Addressing Food Insecurity During the Pandemic 
The EWTG Community Service and Education Events Committee presented a virtual event on September 9 by hosting food banks from across Texas. We were joined by representatives from:
Our panelists discussed food insecurity, the pandemic response, and their leadership during the last 18 months. This was the longest disaster event they have faced which now has become the new normal for their operations. Key takeaways - Use your influence to spread the word about food insecurity and the work the 21 food banks do across the state. Each food bank is responsible for the counties in their designated service area. The food banks have gained an entirely new workforce during the pandemic that they did not know before. There are families behind these stories. Go to your local food bank and be a voice. It is harder to fill the weekday shifts compared to weekends. Food alone does not solve food insecurity. Clients need stable housing and healthcare as well. SNAP and other government programs/funding worked to stabilize the need in 2020-2021, however, as these funds dry up, there will be a greater need for food banks to serve. A recent report by the USDA noted that food insecurity rates remained unchanged compared to before the pandemic. Food banks were on the front line and it is important not to let the momentum die in 2022 as government programs and benefits continue to decline. Women leaders get the job done but remember to take care of yourself and your team. We encourage all members to watch the recording, which can be found by logging into your EWTG account. Following the education session, the Community Service Committee hosted a volunteer event on September 15 at the Central Texas Food Bank. Big thank you’s to Regina Durden, Sarah Melecki, Emily Farris, Tiffany Gibson, Christy Rinaldi, and Yvonne Campos for your support! The team contributed to the Food Bank providing 4320 pounds (3,600 meals) to Texans in need.
The Community Service Community wrapped up our Dress for Success Drive with a personal tour and morning service project at DFSA facility in East Austin. We were on site to see 7-8 clients work on resumes, get styled for interviews, and learn key job search skills. We hand delivered all of the donated clothes, shoes, handbags, jewelry, and toiletries from our generous members. We also sat down with DFSA head of volunteering, Candy, to discuss the ways EWTG can continue our partnership with Dress for Success. The Community Service Committee is excited about the relationship we are building with Dress for Success Austin, its mission, and its dedication to empower women. Thank you to everyone who donated clothes, time, and money to make this initiative a success! Keep an eye for more opportunities like this one! 
   
The Community Service Committee and EWTG members served two Olive Garden soups, a large salad, Italian “quesadillas” and garlic bread sticks with watermelon slices for dessert. EWTG President Deborah Boatner attended and helped with visual documentation.
Some of us got to tour the facility and check out the rooms. Thanks
Thank you for everything you have done in 2017 to help serve. Your service and spirit of giving were overwhelming. The women of EWTG have a heart of gold.
Thank you for supporting SAFE Alliance (a merger of SafePlace and the Austin Children’s Shelter) by providing an estimated $250 worth of toiletry items for welcome bags to families as they start a new journey with SAFE Alliance.
Thank you for supporting the Travis County Sheriff’s Department by collecting 29 nice looking handbags for children to pick out and give to their mothers on Mother's Day. Each bag has information about where to get help, should help be needed.
The Community Service Committee organized a volunteer work day Saturday, July 15th, where 16 EWTG volunteers worked alongside other volunteer groups at the Central Texas Food Bank for a three-hour work session. Members also donated food and money to help feed families in the Central Texas area. The food bank is in a large new modern facility, and the team found the work to be fast paced and fun. Anyone can volunteer at the food bank by going online and registering for a spot. If you were not able to join us but think this would be something you would like to try, please check them out. The teams on the morning of July 15 processed 6,600 pounds of food, which will provide over 5,500 meals.
The Community Service Committee and EWTG members collected school supplies and backpacks for the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders. The Ann Richards School is a 6th-12th grade school and some of the students come from economically challenged households, so your contribution of school supplies made a big difference to the girls.
EWTG members assisted Breast Cancer ambassadors in placing donated items into hundreds of Race Survivor SWAG bags. EWTG members also helped organize the storage trailer filled with the SWAG bags and race participant’s t-shirts. The SWAG bags were distributed to Breast Cancer survivors.
In October, members were informed about the need for donating new and/ or gently used evening gowns to Prom Rack, which supports 150 foster children across Central Texas. Foster children not only get the opportunity to choose a prom dresses, but they are also taught proper etiquette.
Members were also provided information about donating new and/ or gently used business attire to Dress for Success Austin, which promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Easter Baskets of Love had another successful year of basket building and delivery. We provided 210 Easter baskets to Huston Tillotson’s community egg hunt. It was such a pleasure to see the smiling faces of the children - so many of whom gave us a heartfelt thank you. Kudos to Tamala Fletcher and Charity Denning and the volunteers who provided support, donations and love! Click here for photos from the event.
EWTG teamed up with fellow member Tamala Fletcher and friend Charity Denning founders of Baskets of Love had a goal to provide 150 baskets. With the assistance of EWTG and others, Basket of Love exceeded its goal. Volunteers donated items that helped prepare over 150 baskets for children participating in the Huston-Tillson Community Egg Hunt. EWTG helped put a smile on child's face that day. A simple thing as an Easter basket can leave a big impact on a child.
The committees sponsored a looming party at Carver Library in June to loom hats for Dell Children’s Medical Center for their premature babies. The hats loomed helped babies maintain heat and stabilize their body temperature. EWTG volunteers worked the March of Dimes during this activity. March of Dimes offers celebratory gifts to families, including loomed hats created during this activity.
Cleaning things is one way of making places look neat and tidy. EWTG had the opportunity to give a clean environment for the babies and make the accommodations for the parents better by allowing for a healthier environment that is in order with positive energy. People tend to feel cool and clean if the area is well polished and well cleaned.
In November EWTG Conference attendees were able to say thank you in the form of a Christmas card to our men and women serving in the military. This event was held in conjunction with the 2014 Annual Conference.
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The EWTG community service committee continues to reach out and support our local community
during coronavirus. Our latest outreach supported The SAFE Alliance, a merger of Austin Children's Shelter and SafePlace, serving survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence. SAFE's mission is to stop abuse
for everyone. In the past 6 months, SAFE served over 4,000 youths and adults on their campus, and connected with over 8,000 individuals via their emergency hotline. SAFE is committed to providing those in need with a coordinated and integrated
victim services model while considering the effects of trauma throughout an individual's lifespan and within their homes and communities.
During the month of April we put together 80 bags filled with snacks, breakfast bars, and
treats, as well as hand written positive affirmations and notes of encouragement from EWTG members. The SAFE Alliance specifically asked us to support them in this way and we hope that our words of encouragement and snacks for the children help
the residents at SAFE feel supported during this time. The community service committee would like to thank everyone who submitted positive affirmations - we truly appreciate your support.
EWTG had the pleasure of being a silver sponsor for Little Black Dress Soiree on February 20, 2020.
This fundraising event took place at the Austin Film Society Cinema and included a happy hour, silent auction, live music, bites and sips, a live auction with games, and a private screening of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. EWTG, along with a number
of other sponsors and guest patrons, helped raise over $160,000 for Dress for Success Austin. DFSA provides support at ALL phases of the career journey including follow up counseling/training. We are proud to support DFSA’s mission to empower
women. Thank you to all of our wonderful EWTG members in attendance and to all the members who’ve supported our partnership with Dress for Success Austin.
Our EWTG community service event for June focused on feeding families in need.
EWTG members volunteered at the Central Texas Food Bank and helped provide 6,500 meals. We built family care packages filled with a variety of frozen pizzas. Our members worked alongside other student volunteers, and we enjoyed getting to know
our student helpers while singing, dancing, inspecting and sorting pizzas. It was a fun night, and we look forward to more events in the future! The Central Texas Food Bank feeds 46,000 families per week and provides meals for 3.4 million clients
per year. In addition to nourishing Texans, the food bank also works to eliminate food waste and promote agricultural sustainability. Last year, the Central Texas Food Bank rescued 24.7 million pounds of food from retailers, manufacturers, etc.
and distributed 47 million pounds of food. EWTG was happy to have a small role in helping feed Texas families and eliminating food waste.
On April 13th, EWTG members volunteered with Girlstart during the annual Girls
in STEM conference. The day-long event hosted over 560 elementary and middle school aged girls from the Central Texas area. The students rotated through a variety of classes and labs to learn everything from making slime, to robotics, to solar
energy. EWTG members volunteered as classroom assistants and participated as lunch table mentors. We are so proud of all our members who participated in this wonderful event to encourage girls to pursue their interest in STEM! 
to all who provided journals and kitchen supplies of paper towels, plastic ware, napkins, wipes, soap, trash bags, and paper plates. The kitchen was large and we had to hunt through all the labelled draws to put our donations away. It was fun
exploring the cabinets and getting to know other EWTG members. 
born daughter needing heart surgery; a family with a premature baby fighting to live; and others. It was emotional hearing all their stories. Ronald McDonald House provides a short respite
with food and private bedrooms, while just a short walk to the Dell Children’s Hospital. 
The boxes of unsigned Christmas cards, you donated at the conference
were delivered to Ames Davis, the American Red Cross Program Specialist. She informed me she had accepted a new position with the organization. She will be allowed to deploy with the United States Armed Service members as a civilian to assist
with the American Red Cross mission of delivering messages and mail to troops who are serving in a combat zone. The troops greatly appreciated the unsigned boxes of Christmas cards since they were unable to purchase cards to send to their loved
ones. Thank you again, EWTG members for your continued support of the United States Armed Service members. 
EWTG members, Diana Kowalska-Somerville, Martha Collins and, Barbara Chavis made an additional delivery of
handbags to the Travis County Sheriff's Office for the Texas Advocacy Project, Handbags for Hope Donation Drive. Thanks to all of the EWTG ladies who supported the Community Service projects.
Community service is alive in EWTG and 200 Easter Baskets were distributed
at Huston-Tillotson's Community Easter Egg Hunt. Thanks to the ladies who volunteered to assist in the distribution of baskets.
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